10 Women Who Inspire Us

Known as the Queen of Salsa, this Cubana singer earned 23 gold albums and several Grammys. She was known for her hit songs and for being a badass: when she refused to return to Cuba in the 1960s, Fidel Castro banned her from ever returning to her homeland. That didn't stop her from becoming one of the best salsa artists of all time.

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Dolores Huerta

This Mexican-American civil rights activist is known for her advocacy for womens', wokers' and immigrants' rights. She also co-founded the United Farm Workers and won numerous awards, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Award For Human Rights.

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France Cordova

Part-Mexican France Cordova was the first woman and youngest person to hold the position of NASA Chief Scientist. Enough. Said.

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Frida Kahlo

This Mexican painter is still one of art's biggest icons until this day. Known for her amazing self-portraits, Friday once said: "I was born a bitch. I was born a painter." Fierce.

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Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem was a pioneer for feminism and womens' rights in the 60s and 70s during the women's liberation movement. The founder of Ms. Magazine, Gloria brought many feminist and racial issues to light.

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Linda Alvarado

Linda Alvarado of Alvarado Construction Inc. showed women that we can take traditionally male jobs and do them ten times better.

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Maria Teresa Kumar

Colombian Maria Teresa Kumar is the CEO of Voto Latino, an organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the important of the Latino vote in America. This past presidential election, more Latinos than ever hit the polls.

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Michelle Obama

Our first lady is not only part of the first African-American family in the White House, she's an amazing advocate for women's rights, poverty, and nutrition.

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Rita Moreno

Most people know her from West Side Story. We know her as an inspirational Puerto Rican singer, dancer, and actress, and the only Latino to have ever won a Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award.

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Sonia Sotomayor

We can never forget to add Sonia Sotomayor. This Boricua from the Bronx is the United States' first Latina justice, and the third female justice.